Hilton to Expand Presence in Mexican Market

Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corp. has agreed to provide sales, reservations and other services to Mexico’s Camino Real hotel chain. The 14 Camino Real hotels covered in the agreement will be included in Hilton’s frequent guest rewards program and will eventually adopt either the Hilton or Doubletree name once the Mexican chain’s owner, Grupo Empresarial Angeles, spends more than $40 million to upgrade hotel facilities. The 359-room Camino Real in El Paso--the only American property included in the agreement--will be converted to a Hilton in April. Grupo Empresarial Angeles will eventually become a Hilton franchisee under the agreement. Hilton currently operates nine hotels in Mexico and has five under development.